Vice President of Policy and Research
Executive Director of the CECU Research Foundation
[email protected]
Riley Burr is a higher education policy researcher and writer with an established record of translating complex data and concepts into accessible publications that inform education policy and practice. She serves as Executive Director of the CECU Research Foundation and Vice President of Policy and Research at Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU). In this role, she manages research initiatives by university and think tank researchers, oversees the Foundation’s Board of Directors, and authors publications that guide colleges and policymakers on issues of higher education. In 2026, she co-authored Trade Up: Why the Future Belongs to Skilled Trades and How Career Education is Transforming the Workforce with Dr. Jason Altmire, examining the growing demand for skilled workers and the critical role trade schools and career education play in addressing workforce shortages.
Prior to this role, Riley served as lead author and contributor on numerous federal reports for the National Center for Education Statistics, including the School Survey on Crime and Safety, the National Household Education Survey, and the Condition of Education. Her work at AIR focused on survey design, data analysis, and federal reporting for the National Center for Education Statistics, with a focus on making technical research widely usable for all audiences.
Riley’s research portfolio spans federal policy, institutional effectiveness, and student outcomes, with publications in areas ranging from school safety to postsecondary accountability. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Spanish (magna cum laude) from Furman University, where she was also a Division I cross country and track athlete.
Experienced in STATA, SQL, and survey methodology, Riley combines technical research expertise with clear, effective writing, making her work valuable to both academic and policy audiences.